We met with Sir Stephen Timms to talk about PIP

Our Advice Services Director Gully Trevena and our Macmillan Adviser Phil McGrath met with Sir Stephen Timms last week.

Sir Stephen is the Minister of State for Social Security and Disability and is leading a review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process.

The roundtable was organised by Lizzi Collinge, the MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale.

63% of our clients have a long term health condition or are disabled. It is of the utmost importance that The Timms Review prioritises and listens to the concerns of people with lived experience.

Citizens Advice North Lancashire will continue to advocate and campaign on behalf of our clients. We know proposed changes to the disability benefits system caused a great deal of anxiety, and we urge the Government to consider the rising cost of living and to support the most vulnerable through this.

Life costs more for disabled people.

According to the charity Scope, disabled households need an extra £1,095 each month on average. This is just to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households.

As inflation is expected to rise over the next five years, the extra cost of disability is estimated to reach £1,224 per month by 2029 to 2030 financial year.

Medical equipment, higher energy bills, and specialist support all add up. PIP is meant to offset some of these costs.

We ask for compassion and for the Government to listen to our clients and hear their stories.